4TH UPDATE (7:00 p.m.):
CAMBRIA CO, Pa (WJAC) — Residents who were evacuated Wednesday over concerns of flooding from the Wilmore Dam have been given the all clear to return to their homes, officials say.
Summerhill Fire Chief Bob Burkett say he’s spoken with the Cambria County Emergency Management Director, Art Martynuska, who says the surveillance level for the Wilmore Dam has dropped sufficiently enough for people to safely return to Summerhill Borough and Wilmore Borough.
Burkett says Route 53 is reopened as well.
“Unfortunately, especially Wilmore Borough, we have a lot of work ahead of us because their water, although the water is not coming out of the dam as much, their water level in Wilmore per say is rising, so we have a pretty big cleanup effort to help those folks up there,” Burkett said.
3RD UPDATE (3:30 p.m.):
The Wilmore Dam has not broken, according to the Stonycreek Township Police Department.
Officials say the dam is at critical capacity and is overflowing with the potential to fail.
Crews are actively evacuating those who live in Wilmore, Summerhill, and South Fork Boroughs and an area in East Taylor Township out of precaution.
Those who live near and along the Conemaugh River need to remain on high alert.
The National Weather Service reported an uncontrolled release at 1:09 p.m. which caused flash flooding below on the North Branch Little Conemaugh River.
The Wilmore Dam spillway is at capacity but currently effective, according to the Cambrai County Emergency Management Agency.
Evacuation shelters have been opened at the Forest Hills High School, Summerhill and East Taylor fire departments.
Shelter Locations:
- Forest Hills High School 535 Locust St. Sidman PA.
- Summerhill Fire Dept. 528 Main St. Summerhill PA.
- East Taylor Fire Dept. 403 Donruth Ln. Johnstown PA.
2ND UPDATE:
Due to the ongoing situation in Wilmore, CamTran has cancelled all rural routes for the remainder of the day and the final bus will depart from downtown at 6:10 p.m.
CamTran officials also noted that they will assisting with any evacuations.
The Red Cross is also assisting with evacuations at the Forest Hills High School.
Residents who are downstream of the Wilmore Dam are advised to take immediate action and get to higher ground.
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UPDATE:
A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for parts of Johnstown, including Ferndale and Dale Borough, according to the National Weather Service.
The notice is to be in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday.
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ORIGINAL:
Water levels at the Wilmore Dam in Cambria County have reached a "critical stage," according to the Franklin Borough Fire Department.
Several Wilmore-area residents have called or messaged 6 News, confirming that the area is being evacuated.
6 News has a crew heading to the area.
Franklin fire officials are reminding residents in East Conemaugh and Franklin Boroughs to remain vigilant, as those areas are in the path of the Wilmore Dam flood plain.
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